TESTIMONIALS

“Perkins makes a significant contribution with this well-written and interesting book. Surveying a far broader range of historical circumstances than most scholars attempt, he arrives at sweeping conclusions relating to both international warfare and domestic violence. His emphasis on elements of political culture, notably rule of law and transparency, deserves a prominent place in discussions on how to preserve governments and foster peace.”

SPENCER WEARTauthor of Never at War: Why Democracies Will Not Fight One Another

“Ivan Perkins has identified a momentous yet underappreciated development in human history and has assembled a vast amount of evidence and a coherent narrative around it. Vanishing Coup is a major contribution to history and political science and a fascinating read.”

How did the Republic of Venice go 486 years without a single coup d’etat or coup attempt?

Is it the same force that has generated stability in Britain since 1746, in the United States since 1776, and in a growing number of nations around the world?

This thoughtful and engaging book offers the first extended analysis of coups, a central factor shaping world history and politics. Ivan Perkins introduces a new theory to explain why a military coup or revolution is such an unthinkable prospect in advanced democracies. Focusing especially on the first three coup-free states, the book traces the evolutionary origins of political violence and the historical rise of republican government. Perkins concludes with a new explanation for the democratic peace and shows why coup-free states form enduring alliances.